Flea Market Naysayers Begone!

Hello everyone!

I've read a few threads in which some people claim that flea markets are solely the realm of dealers bringing low-grade/problem coins and sketchy sellers with questionable material. (I might generally agree with this...but I would argue not to avoid them completely.)

Well...I thought it might be fun to have a thread sharing some quality coins/currency purchased at flea markets.

Please allow me to share this 1941 D Jefferson Nickel I picked up today:


(Two Ikea Jansjo's and two diffused Reveal Halogen bulbs)



(Just my new LED flash ring)



(Both LED ring and aforementioned 4 lights)

Yes, you are seeing 6 FULL steps. In hand, I can't see a single mark on the obverse.

This is a great, great coin...and I got it at a flea market!

Let's see some of YOUR flea market gems!​

 

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Those are some nice coins!

My experience with buying at flea markets is limited, but from what I have seen, sellers at markets don't know what they have and tend to severely overprice items. Did you get a good deal on these?

 

(FYI - these photos are all the same coin )

I got this for $5. I got about 6 others for $20 total...this is the nicest of the lot. Don't think I have time to photo every one, but I just had to share this one!

 

I should have paid more attention. Nice coin! I think that coin is PCGS FS all day long. I'd say you're definitely in the money with that one.

 

I think you'd even get NGC 6FS out of that one, but the nickel experts should chime in.

 

I would say I'd have to agree. I can see the entire outline of every...single...step...including the bottom line. Really, really lucked out on this one. Almost walked away from the table, too!

 

Got this one for $13

 

Did you go to the one at the BelleClair Fairgrounds today? We should meet up maybe we can do some coin trading.

 

I did! Usually there every month. Heading to Bloomington tomorrow, though...

 

Me too, I love the old round guy in the back room he is the best. I once bought a 100 oz bar from him accidentally giving him an extra hundo. I didn't go back for about 3 months but when he saw me he had my $100 waiting. Integrity like that doesn't exist anymore.

 

Yeah I really agree. Flea markets are awesome. There's this one I go to and it's almost unknown to other collectors. It's huge too! Let's just say I get quite lucky sometimes. For instance, I got a buffalo commem silver dollar for 25. Sold it for 150 on ebay. I got a modern USSR mint set for 2 dollars, sold it for about 145. I could go on and on. These kinds of profits might not be that alluring for collectors with bigger pockets, but I'll get to that level eventually with more luck! Part of the fun at these places is the hunt for great deals, as I'm sure you know. I keep some of the stuff, but often profit from the better coins I find, then I buy more stuff. Sorry, I have know pics to share at this time

 

a few years ago i got a 1934S peace dollar labeled as a 1934D for $15 at flea-mart . its only about a VG-F grade, but still a nice coin.

 

I bought this at a flea market, I must admit it's the only coin I've bought at one. I sent it in for grading

 

For the most part that is my experience as well. There is a decent flea market a couple miles from my house were I go almost every weekend. Its tough to find coins there. There are always people that have circulated clad Ikes where they sell for like $3.00 thinking they are worth more than face. Can usually find junk silver but not always.

 

Just last week a guy had a painted ASE hidden is with a bunch of other non coin stuff. He had a price on it for only $15 and I offered him $12 and he took it. I don't care for ASE much especially painted ones do I went to another stand where a lady always had a few coins usually a bit over priced but not too bad. Traded her the painted ASE and $22 for 2 1922 Peace dollars. So I paid about melt for two Peace Dollars and I was plenty happy with that.

 

You should see my collection of foreign Cu-Ni coins I was positive were silver.

 

Am I the blind squirrel in this scenario?

 

You *might* be the nut ;-)